Are X-ray Safety Glasses Alone Enough for Adequate Ocular Protection in Complex Radiological Interventions?

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• The European directive 2013/59/Euratom reduced the maximum annual ocular radiation dose limit for medical staff to 20 mSv.
• Fluoroscopically guided interventions pose a risk of significant radiation exposure to the eyes of medical personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report protected and unprotected eye lens doses during complex fluoroscopically guided interventions.
• To evaluate factors influencing ocular radiation doses, including protective devices and personnel experience.

Main Methods:

• A multi-centric study recorded ocular radiation doses using thermoluminescent dosimeters for six interventionists over one year.
• Protected and unprotected doses were measured with and without radiation protection glasses.
• Personnel position, intervention type, fluoroscopy time, total body dose, and use of lead acrylic shields were recorded.

Main Results:

• Four interventionists exceeded the annual 20 mSv unprotected ocular dose limit.
• One interventionist exceeded the protected dose limit, with an estimated 5-year protected dose of 101.3 mSv.
• Lead acrylic shields significantly reduced ocular doses.

Conclusions:

• Annual ocular doses for interventionists performing complex procedures can exceed permitted limits.
• Even with radiation protection glasses, significant ocular doses necessitate additional protective measures.
• Pre-installed radiation protection devices and comprehensive training are vital for minimizing radiation exposure in complex interventions.